Central Arabia during the early Hellenistic period : with particular reference to the site of al-'Ayun in the area of al-Aflaj in Saudi Arabia

This thesis deals with the site of al -'Ayun in the area of al -Aflaj in Central Arabia as one of the Early Hellenistic sites in the region. The specific objectives of this work are; 1- identifying more precisely the date of the settlement, 2- exposing the nature and position of the al -'Ayun settlement in relation to the ancient trading route between the Yemen in south Arabia and Gerrha on the eastern coast of Arabia, and 3- trying to find any evidence of the relationship between the three components of the site; that is the settlement, the irrigation system, and the tumulus field.In order to achieve our objectives, and because of the rarity of information about the site, two field excavations were necessary The first excavation took place between March and May 1988, and the second excavation took place between April and May 1989. The core of this study relies on the information gathered from the excavations.To put the research in context, the thesis begins with a general introduction to the whole work. It continues with an historical survey of the ancient kingdoms of Southern Arabia, the beginning of the eastern Hellenistic world and its relation with Arabia, and the ancient inland trading routes in Arabia during the 2nd half of the 1st millennium BC. Then it looks in detail at the Hellenistic sites in eastern Arabia and those in Central Arabia. At this stage the thesis introduces the area of al- Aflaj, its geography and history, before reporting the archaeological excavations at the site of al- 'Ayun. The study is completed by an analysis of the objects found at the site i.e. pottery sherds, incense burners, stone artifacts, coins, and a seal with south Arabian script. Finally, after a general discussion and analysis of the results of the excavation, there is a discussion and the general conclusion of this thesis, which is that the settlement at al -'Ayun was an early and short -lived response to the Hellenistic stimulus to Arabian trade between the incense -producing area of the South-west and the port of Gerrha on the Gulf coast

Trump’s Foreign Policy in the Middle East: Conspiratorialism in the Arab Media Sphere

This chapter explores how president Trump’s discourse on foreign policy and global security is reported in the MENA region. We identify how Trumps’ allegedly alternative approach to foreign policy impacted on the geopolitical concerns of US allies in the Middle East. Simultaneously, we examine how his relationship with well-established allies as well as his administration’s positions on global security have been reported in the Arab press by investigating a sample extracted from different Arab media outlets including Al Ahram, Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya. Through policy and discourse analysis of Trump’s official and tweeted pronouncements, we evaluate to what extent Trump’s policy is regarded as consistent with his presidential campaign, and how these are perceived in Middle Eastern media and in wider international media ecologies

The effect of copolymer and iron on the fouling characteristics of cooling tower water containing corrosion inhibitors

Various antifoulant treatment programs and the considerations necessary for the effective use of such programs were examined. Two different groups of tests, with and without iron contamination, have been carried out on the effectiveness of several of the state-of-the-art copolymers (PA, HEDP, AA/HPA, AA/MA, SS/MA and AA/SA) in the inhibition of the fouling of high hardness cooling tower water containing phosphate corrosion inhibitors (polyphosphates and orthophosphates). The tests were conducted on metal surfaces (SS, CS, Adm, and Cu/Ni), using simulated cooling water in a specially designed cooling tower system. For each group of tests at various pH values (6.5, 7.5 and 8.5), the effects of flow velocity (3.0, 5.5, 8.0 ft/sec) and heat transfer surface temperature (130, 145, 160°F) on the fouling characteristics of cooling tower water have been investigated. During the course of each test, the water quality was kept constant. For the iron tests, the effects of iron presence (2, 3 and 4 ppm Fe) on the fouling characteristics of the cooling tower water have been investigated and discussed for three different situations: 1. High hardness cooling tower water and iron. 2. High hardness cooling tower water, iron and phosphate corrosion inhibitors. 3. High hardness cooling tower water, iron, phosphate corrosion inhibitors and copolymers. When fouling occurred, measurements were made of the fouling thermal resistance as a function of time. Four different fouling curves were obtained, linear, concave upward, asymptotic and sawtooth curves. The fouling data obtained were correlated with the Heat Transfer Research, Inc. (HTRI) model and fouling predictive equations and charts were developed. For the two groups of tests, the effectiveness of each copolymer has been evaluated and the threshold values of surface temperature, flow velocity and pH have been identified

Effects of over-expressing ethylene responsive transcription factor on expression of selected fruit ripening-related genes in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) mesocarp

Gene expression is regulated mainly at the transcriptional level through binding of transcription factors to specific promoter regulatory elements. The expression profile of EgDREB, a transcription factor belonging to the AP2 family, was determined by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and it was found that it was expressed at different stages of oil palm mesocarp development as well as in vegetative tissues (roots and leaves) but not in the mesocarp at the early ripening stage, which is 12 WAA (weeks after anthesis). Thus, the effects of over-expressing EgDREB on the transcriptional regulation of genes from five functional groups related to ripening were investigated in 12 WAA mesocarp of oil palm. Co-bombardment of 12 WAA mesocarp tissues with recombinant vector construct harbouring EgDREB and plasmid containing the GFP reporter gene was carried out. Fluorescent detection of GFP and verification via RT-PCR using GFP-specific primers enabled selection of successfully transformed tissues. Using transient expression assay, it was demonstrated that over-expression of EgDREB results in up-regulation of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) and type 2 metallothionein-like genes (MET2a and MET2b). These proteins are categorised under biogenesis of the cellular component and proteins with binding functions or cofactor requirements. More specifically, the roles of metallothioneins are in homeostasis of essential metal ions and oxidative stress response. This may suggest that EgDREB is involved in regulating cellular processes related to the roles of these three proteins

Sleep disorders and its effect on community

The main aim of this paper is to analysis the effect of sleep disorders on the community. This study is quantitative. The questionnaire was designed and distributed among the student in school in the city of Riyadh high and intermediate school. The sample of this study consist 100 students. The researcher visited a school in the city of Riyadh high and intermediate school sections and that on December 10 to 11 to measure the impact of sleep disorders through a questionnaire that measures the effects of lack of sleep and then make them aware of the benefits of sleep and harm of lack of sleep from the physical and psychological effects, and it gave a lecture educate the students and then distribute them brochure contain the benefits and harmful effects of sleep. SPSS 21 was used to analysis that data. The results of the study indicated that lack of sleep limits a person's ability to think and solve the problem effectively, which means that people who wake up for a long time influence them to learn at an effective level. Lack of sleep affects the ability of thinking and can limit your ability to accurately interpret events, which can be difficult to respond correctly to situations in which effective decision-making is intelligent. The lack of sleep, even for one night can lead to swelling of the eyes and turn the skin into pale skin. Keywords: Sleep disorders, community

ROLE OF THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF CARDIAC MEASURES AND DECLINING OF COMORBIDITIES.

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) can prevent many non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). The present study aimed to assess the health benefits of physical activities including blood pressure and comorbid conditions. Methodology: This is a prospective cohort case-control study that recruited 300 Saudi volunteers living in the city ofHail, Northern Saudi Arabia. Results: Out of 300 participants 155(51.7%) were males and 145 (48.3%) were females. There were 111(37%) participants committed to regular physical activity and the remaining 189(63%) without a defined commitment to physical activity (Uncommitted). Among 111 persons who claimed a commitment to regular physical activity (committed), 61(55%) were males and 50(45%) were females. The majority of committed individuals were at the age group 21-25 years followed by age group 26-30 and 31-35 years representing 32, 30, and 20 persons, respectively. The physical activity was highly practiced at the age range 21-30 years and this was found to be statistically significant P < 0.001. Conclusion: There is a low prevalence of physical activity in Hail region, particularly among females, which necessitates the suggestion of appropriate awareness programs. Younger and elder populations are in much need to be targeted with PA awareness programs

Recent methods in the production of activated carbon from date palm residues for the adsorption of textile dyes: A review

Textile dyes are organic compounds that can pose an environmental threat if not properly treated. They can cause many problems ranging from human health, ecosystem disturbances, and the reduction of the esthetic value of water bodies. The adsorption process using activated carbon (AC) has been proven to be effective in treating dyes in wastewater. However, the production of AC is limited by the non-renewables and relatively expensive precursor of coal. Date palm residues (DPRs) provide a good alternative for AC’s precursor due to their continuous supply, availability in a large amount, and having good physiochemical properties such as high oxygen element and fixed carbon. This study provides a review of the potential of date palm residues (DPRs) as AC in adsorbing textile dyes and the recent technological advances adopted by researchers in producing DPR-based AC. This review article focuses solely on DPR and not on other biomass waste. This study presents a background review on date palms, textile dyes, biochar, and AC, followed by production methods of AC. In the literature, DPR was carbonized between 250 and 400°C. The conventional heating process employed an activation temperature of 576.85–900°C for physical activation and a maximum of 800°C for physicochemical activation. Chemical agents used in the chemical activation of DPR included NaOH, KOH, ZnCl2, H3PO4, and CaCl2. The maximum surface area obtained for DPR-AC was 1,092.34 and 950 m2/g for physical and chemical activation, respectively. On the other hand, conditions used in microwave heating were between 540 and 700 W, which resulted in a surface area of 1,123 m2/g. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) utilized carbonization temperatures between 150 and 250°C with pressure between 1 and 5 MPa, thus resulting in a surface area between 125.50 and 139.50 m2/g. Isotherm and kinetic models employed in the literature are also discussed, together with the explanation of parameters accompanied by these models. The conversion of DPR into AC was noticed to be more efficient with the advancement of activation methods over the years.King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology - grant no. 13-ENV1102-02

Overview On Surgical Management Of Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder syndrome is a persistent and incapacitating disorder that has profound medical, psychological, and social implications, greatly impacting the wellbeing of countless individuals globally. A significant number of individuals experience urine urgency, which can be extremely bothersome. The primary indicator of overactive bladder (OAB) is a sense of urgency, often accompanied by increased urine frequency and nocturia. After ruling out other medical conditions with similar symptoms, the initial approach to managing OAB is providing guidance on fluid consumption and bladder training. If needed, antimuscarinic medicines may be added as a supplement. If patients have significant distress from OAB symptoms even after maximizing medicinal treatment, they may choose to undergo invasive procedures. There is currently a limited understanding of the hierarchical structure of central nervous system control. However, the use of functional imaging is starting to reveal the difficulties that need to be addressed in this area. Current research is exploring the use of botulinum neurotoxin-A injection, oral β3-adrenergic agonists, and innovative methods for nerve stimulation as potential therapies. The inherent subjectivity of urine urgency, the absence of animal models, and the complex pathophysiology of overactive bladder (OAB) pose substantial obstacles to achieving effective clinical therapy

Impact of tobacco smoking on oral microbiota – a case-control study.

Oral microbiota is a vital part of human microbiota, including bacterial, protozoa, viral and fungal species. Beneficial microbes form biofilms to form a first-line defense against harmful microorganisms. Tobacco smoking is considered a major environmental factor affecting the orodental microbiota. Smokers harbor more pathogenic microbes than non-smokers. In fact, cigarette smoking exposes the oral cavity to a large number of toxicants, perturbing the oral microbial ecology through various mechanisms. In Saudi Arabia, research on the impact of tobacco smoking on oral microbiota is still lacking. Therefore, this case-control study is an important addition to the literature in terms of tobacco use and its effects on oral microbiota and oral hygiene. 130 men were recruited for this study, including 65 smokers and 65 non-smokers. The following parameters were recorded for all 130 participants – age, weight, height and education. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of tobacco smoking on the oral microbiome of smokers and non-smokers. The majority of the smokers were young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 inclusive (n=27). The results show that excessive microorganism growth was seen in smokers to a greater degree than non-smokers (38.5% of smokers vs. 8.8% of non-smokers). Not surprisingly, a significant majority (85.3%) of non-smokers had moderate microorganism growth compared to only 53.8% of smokers. cigarette smoking facilitates excessive growth of oral microorganisms, predisposing smokers to various periodontal diseases. In fact, smoking perturbs the balance of oral microbiota, producing a viable environment for microbes to cause diseases. Further large scale prospective studies are required to determine the exact mechanism that causes tobacco to affect oral microbiota